115. Narrowboat trip from Preston Bagot to Lapworth on the Stratford and Grand Union canals

#narrowboat #narrowboats #canal #canals #liveaboard #cruisingthecut
It's the penultimate vlog from my Great 2017 Cruise and a short hop up the South Stratford canal from Preston Bagot, through Lowsonford and up to Kingswood Junction at Lapworth. Here I turned east along the Lapworth Link and out onto the Grand Union canal before pausing for the night.
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Theme music: "Vespers" by Topher Mohr and Alex Alena, from the KZbin music library

[@MK-rr7cg]

"Oh for crying out loud, not now" 😂

[@DuckDonald44]

“Oh for crying out loud, not now!”

[@1258-Eckhart]

Gosh, I'll SO miss these and yearn for the next series. They are brilliant, because of 1. your gentle commentary which soothes the day's pains away; 2. the stunning beauty of the English countryside, which the waterways somehow even enhance, and 3. my technical interest in the workings of the canals, all those locks and paddles and things. But i'm sure there'll be inbetween vlogs about the boat etc., surely we won't be orphaned?

[@CruisingTheCut]

Yes, yes, the videos aren't ending. Everyone seems to be misunderstanding my comment!!

[@thecatatemyhomework]

"Only Hansel or Gretel live here." That cracked me up 🤣. Not "Hansel AND Gretel."

[@erikowren7894]

I have to say I really do find your presentation in your vlogs very compelling and relaxing at the same time. Gives a real sense of your experiences. Thank you for your content.

[@andrewfyakim525]

I have watched every moment of each of your videos. Some more than once. I love the peace and beauty of the UK countryside and your commentary is entertaining and relaxing. Thank you for all of them.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you, that's very nice to hear.

[@joeclarke9782]

Another keeper. Thought up a little tune "My heart's in the river, My heart's in the canals - Up and down every lock in the kingdom's chan-nels. No time for a mooring, no time for the pubs - Only time to wash clothes in a tub full of suds." Apologies to Mr. Burns

[@CruisingTheCut]

:-)

[@GrooveFederation]

god dam your videos are really addictive! please keep up the good work!

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you

[@suebradford890]

Heard you David, when the problem with the propeller started: "Oh for crying out loud, not now!" Awkward time for a problem, just entering a single lock :(

[@nremtsean]

Thank you again!!! Can’t get enough of your channel!!!

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you!

[@johnnowacki6903]

Another great installment! IMHOP, I think this is one of the prettiest stretches you've shared with us! And all the locks are truly amazing. Looking forward to your final installment for 2017! Thanks so much for all your hard work in editing and sharing your adventures on The Cut! - J.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Cheers John. It certainly was very scenic.

[@bmolitor615]

you are getting very adept at all the narrow-boating things - rivers and weirs are quite normal now and you even appreciate a following current, you know just what that propeller-sound is and what to try to free the prop up, you know how to move the boat without the engine just bip-bop like that, and you can do so many locks, and all of that, SOLO. It's very impressive!

[@brianhansen9578]

been watching the whole season with great delight ... one of the best laid back videos of the week .. great for a cuppa and a digestive .. always looking forward to these !!

[@CruisingTheCut]

That's the best way to watch!

[@ASCIITerminal]

"Oh, for crying out loud - not now!" Very restrained given the circumstances.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Haha, had it been worse I'd have edited it out!!

[@for.tax.reasons]

11:21 that bird didn't even flinch at the horn that's amazing

[@jamesdavis5096]

really, david, I just cant get enough of this. You are so talented with words, very witty, very creative. I like the little duck jokes, the details, the production value. just everything about this. your accent. the british lingo. the education of this. i can go on. but the production details are the most amazing. like the joke about the cranes. the tyred ducks. the cat that visited you. really memorable. you are very charming and have a warm camera presence.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you

[@0HARE]

This was one of my top three favorite episodes so far. The countryside and those little cottages were just so beautiful. Thanks again for taking us along. Safe Travels

[@toms4123]

cannot get enough of these.. thank you David

[@CruisingTheCut]

:-)

[@peterthomas2013]

It's team time in Atlanta USA so time to brew tea, open the Hobnobs, and watch an awesome canal video. Happy memories of the trip we made :)

[@pholland6643]

As a West Australian hoping to spend some of my retirement years on the canals, I thoroughly enjoy all of your videos and look forward to new releases. I spent a week on the Macclesfield canal in 2015 with my wife and loved every minute.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Glad you like them. Cheers.

[@TheSkskitey]

Hello fellow sandgroper , i watch David too but i've never been on a narrowboat before , sounds good your going back to do some more narrowboating , good luck .

[@63Eco]

That "quaint" little cottage with the red door is like something from a storybook. I should start saving my pennies and retire to a tiny cottage along a tow path, and maybe get one of those little 30' boats in which to putter up the canal whenever the mood should strike. Sounds like a wonderful way to live. Thanks for yet another beautiful vlog.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Many pennies will need to be saved :-)

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

Great video as usual. Can’t wait to see who the special crew are. Hope it’s Someone good after all that build up.

[@CruisingTheCut]

They were a great crew. The best. Superb.

[@MagicaLucem]

What a super penultimate vlog. I do begin to wonder if you're making up these place names... Preston Baggott. . And Lapworth.. Sound like towns in The Hobbit and Swallow and Amazons respectively. All very rural and grassy... And such narrow locks...except the almost narrow one...scary. Lovely imagery and sound as always...bliss. Sad it's so close to season end. Thank you again for the pleasure of your current series..

[@CruisingTheCut]

They're real places, honestly! And it's not the end of my vlogs, just the cruising vlogs.

[@Tinker001]

One would almost get the impression that Tolkien & Ransome were both British... :P

[@sianfarrell7506]

your cry of consternation is clearly audible! "Oh for crying out loud! Not now!" .... thank you for sharing your pain! lol xx

[@SailingWithVampires]

I always grit my teeth every time your Boat gets banged up a bit. Great video David!

[@CruisingTheCut]

So do I!

[@munchkinheaven7877]

Another wonderful cruising session, so relaxing, even when you speed up and we think you are mowing down the ducks (we know you don't), looking forward to more vlogs on whatever subject, snuggling down for the winter now and hopefully returning for more boating with you in the spring, thank you for a wonderful year.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Cheers - no, no ducks harmed!

[@KrissiCreates]

I so enjoy your video's. Seeing the countryside, the beautiful cottages, even the ducks it looked like you plowed into. Please tell me not animals were harmed in the filming of your video ! Lol !! I'm truly fascinated with your world ! Thank you for sharing with someone like me living in the middle of the USA, longing for time on the water !!

[@ichughes]

I walked the Lapworth link last weekend, on the circular route between the National Trust houses at Packwood and Badesley Clinton. Your informative and educational videos gave me the confidence to open and close the odd lock gate for passing boats as I walked north, including one chap also traveling alone. Thanks for the vlogs, and I’m looking forward to the next DIY instalments.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you for doing that for the boaters!

[@danielburgin28]

7:29 You're welcome to come have a look inside the Caracruiser at some point if you really want to see some interesting use of space.

[@debraco7748]

Thank you for the scenic tranquillity, your videos work eversomuch better than my homemade Prozac

[@CruisingTheCut]

Now that sounds interesting!!

[@RVgeeks]

Absolutely lovely cruising. We do so love the very intimate, narrow waterways and locks. And just the thought of "guest crew" has us dreaming of cruising the cut someday ourselves, even if only for a holiday. As always, thanks for bringing us along, David.

[@CruisingTheCut]

One day!

[@georgeblankinship4745]

Excellent, David. Thanks for letting me tag along.

[@CruisingTheCut]

You're very welcome.

[@cyberi4a]

That was funny hearing you yell out when the prop caught something. Glad it wasn't anything serious to cause damage.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Just leaves. Why they wouldn't wash off with a blast of reverse is beyond me, they normally do.

[@patriciaandterryhammond9216]

As usual interesting and well filmed and narrated vlog its just a pity the next one will be the last for a while

[@CruisingTheCut]

No, no. The vlogs will continue as usual. Just not cruising.

[@jkman86]

Hello from Texas! Love the vlogs! I would be interested to see more about where you stop each time, the quirks about tying up, what you do when not cruzing, some info about the towns, etc. thanks for showing us a glimpse into your world.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Hi. Thank you. I show a little info sometimes but try not to make this a general travelogue / tourism vlog. It's just my log of my canal travels.

[@llessibm]

This vlog kind of puts life on the canal into perspective - I’ve walked, cycled and driven between Preston Bagot and Lapworth many many times and done so in a modest amount of time - how glorious it would be to slow down and enjoy the journey

[@CruisingTheCut]

It's a very pleasant route however you do it, I suspect!

[@x--.]

This vlog is really an education on the quaint English phrases I've never heard and are so amusing. 'Getting my skates on' and the like 8:40

[@DJTrainBrain]

1:23-1:37 "Oh, for crying out loud, not now!"

[@RodgauChaton]

Ahoi, David, wieder eine schöne Reise und so interessante Schleusenwärter Häuschen. England bewahrt seine historische Schätze sorgsam. Gruß Leo

[@CruisingTheCut]

Ich freue mich sehr, dass dir das Video gefallen hat. Ja, es gibt viele Schätze in der englischen Landschaft!

[@bex82uk]

Love the speed-up shot after the locks, so cool with all the reflections etc, although it looks a bit like your boat hits a duck at one point 😱 I can only imagine you would've asked it to 'duck' out the way in time before that were to happen 😎

[@CruisingTheCut]

The duck was not hit, it just vanishes to the side of the bow.

[@EmmaRitson]

we will miss you! love your updates, will enjoy DIY just as much. thanks again

[@CruisingTheCut]

Cheers Emma

[@luanncrownover4]

Gorgeous stretch of canal. Love the lockside cottages with the barrel roof! Thanks for another great vlog.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Cheers

[@stilcrazychris]

You was a LUCK fellow with them locks on that day. I couldn't get that lucky. Them cottages was cute, but not for £1M & a swimming pool. That's crazy. I've been watching that show Grand Designs from UK & them houses that they call grade 2 & they have to go though the housing system. They get up in the 2 to 4 millions. Bc they have to use the same materials that was originally used. Now that's really crazy. They are nice after they get done with them, but are way off of my budget. Your video was great. I just love the way it all goes together. You do a great job on the voice overlaying. I just really enjoy your work. Well happy narrow boating. And may you have a nice lazy day after 17 locks.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you very much!

[@per-olamjomark7452]

I have thoroughly enjoyed your vlog entries this summer, but I have to confess that I am also really looking forward to seeing some new "DIY and Other Canal Things That Take My Fancy" videos as you so nicely put it. The everyday routines when living on a narrowboat when moored up is just as exciting to me as a viewer. Also: if you manage to get access to some of those smaller narrowboats, like the one shown at 7:27, don't forget to film it! One thing I really enjoy watching on KZbin is the different interior designs of narrow boats that exists out there. Luckily there are quite a few Pinterest boards on this subject. All the best!

[@CruisingTheCut]

Don't forget to look at the broker websites, they often have floor plans for the boats they're selling.

[@tomf2026]

FANTASTIC....powering thru all those locks while the getting was good....love it.

[@michaelpilling9659]

A delightful journey - the canal lock gods were definatley with you this time. Wonderful video. So much to see. Thank you David

[@lazier96]

You have great piloting skills with your long boat. Thanks for the post, always enjoyable to watch . Cheers.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you.

[@woychck4]

Like seeing those cottage's, beautiful country side. Another nice video, thank you.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you

[@petesmowerrepair]

Another great watch ! Thanks ! 👍👍👍🇺🇸

[@moondancer5115]

Kinda sad to see the season draw to a close. . . 😏 ooooh, special guest crew?

[@CruisingTheCut]

Just the cruising season, more videos will follow.

[@martinjames9250]

Excellent video as usual. It all looks wonderful. Cheers!

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thanks Martin

[@user-lx6bl2wd8g]

Thanks so much for your vlogs and all your hard work in getting them on here.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Glad you like them :-)

[@pootle2768]

the cottages along the canal are gorgeous. I'm looking forward to seeing the guest crew! :-)

[@CruisingTheCut]

You know who they are :-)

[@pootle2768]

CruisingTheCut I am SO excited! It will be brilliant

[@CruisingTheCut]

Hahahaha

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

CruisingTheCut You should have asked us, we’ll turn up for anything 😉

[@CruisingTheCut]

Ain't that the truth

[@pieter1102]

Thanks for another great vlog.

[@CruisingTheCut]

:-)

[@BlueJon1975]

I think the colloquial turn of phrase for those locks set in your favour is "jammy"!

[@CruisingTheCut]

Haha, true!

[@ccmogs5757]

"For crying out loud not now" :)

[@waza987]

After watching several of your videos in a row I want to take a couple of years off and meander around England’s canals.

[@Philhoppermiller]

Too many locks for me this trip. At least they were apart enough so you could enjoy cruising a bit. I like the scenery. England is green most of the time. The cattle are healthy and the other boatman seem very friendly.

[@CruisingTheCut]

That was exactly the problem - the locks *weren't* spaced out so as to enjoy any cruising. They were maybe a quarter mile / half mile apart so you don't get any decent cruising nor any sensible flights of locks. Hence what I was trying to show in the video! Scenery is lovely though.

[@Pallethands]

Could you do an episode on how you feed yourself? I don't imagine you eat out much, so what do you do? Most of your needs are provided by the canal and river trust, or chandleries, but how do you keep your kitchen stocked? Do you live on tea and biscuits? What kind of food do you prepare with your limited equipment, storage, budget and cuisine preference? I have so many questions!

[@CruisingTheCut]

I doubt I'll do an episode on that because I feed myself just as anyone would in a house. It's not "limited equipment" at all - I have a cooker, grill, four-ring gas hob, microwave, fridge... see the video I did last Christmas and you can watch an entire Christmas meal being cooked on board (albeit not by me). You keep your kitchen stocked by .. er ... going to the supermarket like anyone else!

[@davidbell2056]

Hi thanks for another great vlog.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Glad you liked it.

[@doyle201206]

Some days the wind is in the sails, wise move to enjoy it and relax for a day. And to finish in time for damp weather to arrive, result. Happy cruising.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Cheers

[@jameskirby1226]

Hello Dark Lord another great video thank you Sir.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you.

[@colinracheljustpootling7468]

Wonerful looking journey. Seems to be looked after better than some of the other routes. I’m booked for a week on the Macclesfield canal at the beginning of May 2018. Can’t wait! You got me hooked on this now!

[@CruisingTheCut]

Excellent! Hope you have fun (and good weather)

[@sylviapage8572]

Great video. Not sure why but I loved those locks, the slightly wider one will probably give me nightmares tonight! Thanks for sharing your journey I’ve really enjoyed it and feel a bit sad it’s coming to an end.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thanks Sylvia; hope your cruising's going OK? There'll be more from me in time :-)

[@williamjordan811]

Great Vlog! Love the little cottages. Looking forward to your next...Cheers

[@CruisingTheCut]

Cheers William

[@SpiritBear12]

Those little white cottages are cute. You have a number of interesting buildings there. The weather looked pretty mild for November. So far, so have we in New England.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Like the last one, this was filmed at the end of June!

[@SpiritBear12]

Oh you cheated! LOL Oh well, we still had a mild fall here this year.

[@1758pk]

Really enjoyed your summer cruise! I think it will soon be a year since I started watching your vlog.Looking forward to many more!

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you for staying tuned in!

[@charliewilson4670]

Excellent video really enjoyed watching this one glad you got all locks done that day ☺👍

[@andywheal6477]

Another class act, thank you David, and my first,first comment. Looking forward to the next. Wondering who the guest crew will be.

[@CruisingTheCut]

I don't think the guest crew will be any great surprise... :-)

[@snappyfish]

What a lovely place to stop at the end.

[@CruisingTheCut]

It was, and a nice wide bit of canal too!

[@SquirrelFromGradLife]

Inspector Duck really have you a funny look while he was standing under that bridge at the Grand Union exit.. no doubt a lookout for fellow ducks out to cause havoc.

[@CruisingTheCut]

:-)

[@terrystephens1102]

Nothing like a spot of luck to speed you through the locks 😃👍👏👏👏👏

[@stevedunlop1934]

Thanks for the vlog. Pretty countryside and travels, and I enjoy the commentary. Helps those of us in the Land of the Free learn to speak proper English. No narrow boats here, nor any canals to speak of, and the closest lock 110' wide and 600' long. (Lock and Dam #3 on the Mississippi). They do allow recreational boats through there but as you might imagine they have lockkeepers and don't let you off your boat. Not quite the same. Thanks again

[@CruisingTheCut]

That would be fun to go through. Not surprised it's not "self operated"!!

[@garrystacey7018]

Great video I love the Stratford canal It was great to meet you in the basin at Stratford then again in the tunnel at Braunston

[@CruisingTheCut]

Likewise! Weird how you bump into people you know at the oddest times on a canal!

[@roarmaus]

11:20 Bridge duck gives not a single bother. Nary a lonesome feather ruffled.

[@CruisingTheCut]

No indeed.

[@davidoickle1778]

"Where has a the sun gone, eh?" I hereby dub you a honorary Canadian, eh?

[@nairbllebpmac4179]

What another lovely blog David! These videos are so relaxing. I love the little cottages. I imagine they are quite cozy. Like you I wonder how the necessities are arranged in those tiny narrowboats. Thank you so much for sharing!

[@CruisingTheCut]

Cheers Brian

[@TheFogLakeshore]

Using your high comment to remind people to watch this with your adblocks off. No, I'm not David, I'm some guy from the States.

[@ThisNarrowboatAdventure]

Oh this was just lovely!!!! great seeing you today!

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thanks Jasmin! Super seeing you too, wish I hadn't bought such an early return ticket we could have all chatted on for much longer I think (and gone somewhere warmer too!). See ya again soon. Mind how you go with my YT Space membership ;-)

[@ThisNarrowboatAdventure]

CruisingTheCut I actually had work at 6 , I'll be sure and abuse it ;)

[@petercalthorpe7966]

Hi David , another great vlog . The cottages were awesome I'd love to live in one of those . Can't wait to see the crew .

[@CruisingTheCut]

Cann you guess who the crew is? ;-)

[@petercalthorpe7966]

CruisingTheCut Kathy and Anna ?

[@CruisingTheCut]

Not telling ;-)

[@petercalthorpe7966]

CruisingTheCut hahahaha i like surprises David , can't wait . Take care all the best from Beautiful Brisbane .👍 still not as pretty as those canals and English Country side.

[@sheilaknight5370]

Another lovely vlog. Pinched the idea from a previous viewer of showing you to some folk sadly with dementia , and they were fascinated ! They couldn't get the idea of the locks but then they are beyond me sometimes ! Thanks David , stay warm !

[@CruisingTheCut]

Oh, how lovely. Thank you!

[@winfredstacy5843]

Great video....truly love the lengthsmen (sp?) cottages....safe travels..

[@CruisingTheCut]

Cheers

[@YZFR1mart]

My boat is on the forth and clyde and I don't have to do anything but hold a rope for the locks as they're all manned by volunteers. From Falkirk (kelpies) lock 2 to lock 16 still took nearly 3 hours though as some of the locks are very deep. Fantastic trip though. Keep up the good work. . You need to be on TV 👍

[@lettiekelly5339]

I live in us and wish I was on the boat with you. wonderful video.

[@ADMIRALSCORNER]

I have not yet caught on your previous videos but this shows us the great adventures you are having!

[@CruisingTheCut]

Oh, you have much to catch up on ;-)

[@davidsedlickas8222]

We still have lengths persons cottages on the Wey Navigation which are occupied by length persons. That is a contributing factor in having a well looked after waterway. Sadly no one else did the same on the main water way network.

[@CruisingTheCut]

I did not know that! Cheers

[@isbcornbinder]

Fantastic.

[@CruisingTheCut]

:-)

[@GaryCaptainPhillips]

I'm sure that quaìnt little white cottage is where Prunella and Tim stayed on one of their 'Great Canal Adventures'

[@CruisingTheCut]

I think you're right.

[@tomf2026]

That cottage is to die for, just seen the estate agents listing...

[@borderreiver3288]

Great cruising with the locks in your favor....

[@mischef18]

Another good video bro and yes sad to see the season nearing the end. ATB

[@CruisingTheCut]

Cheers Ken

[@EnglishmaninMalta]

Nice video , love your vlogs keep them coming , greeting from Malta...

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you

[@EnglishmaninMalta]

CruisingTheCut Was this recorded lately ?? Nice to see you in T-shirt......I spent a year on the cut , based in my home city Birmingham , but I don't miss the weather over there , sadly no canals in Malta , but still some great adventures ....

[@CruisingTheCut]

June

[@darrannewman7113]

Aww so soon the end is upon us and the vlogs will cease, but the C word will be upon us and you deserve a winter break. Looking forward to the next one even if it is the last of 2017.

[@CruisingTheCut]

They're not ceasing!!! Just the last CRUISING vlog.

[@darrannewman7113]

Aha I missed out the cruising bit , will we see more DIY ?.

[@Sal_Vito]

Another fine vid... thank you.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Ta

[@CheckFred]

Those 'quaint' cottages remind me of the #NissanHut we lived in when I entered the world shortly after the war :-)

[@CruisingTheCut]

Very similar!

[@JohnBoyDeere]

Looks like you got a little English sunburn going on:) Love the vlog, blessings!

[@CruisingTheCut]

Haha, yes the prior week of sun on the river baked me quite well!

[@SimonPain]

11:10 - Train goes "fwip" 😄

[@wallacegrommet9343]

I would like to bring a satchel full of hardware, such as eye bolts, cleats, and soil anchors, and commit acts of random repair by installing these wherever locks without bollards exist, much as Robert DeNiro performed illicit yet competent duct repair in the movie “Brazil”.

[@annettefournier9655]

Hi David. You got very "locky" on this journey. Apart from weeds on the prop and having to slap on a bit of black. Love those little bungalows with the curved roofs. Ta, take care.

[@CruisingTheCut]

:-)

[@peterdavy6110]

"The Adventures of Preston Bagot - Secret Agent" - it's a book just waiting to be written.

[@4crevis]

Love your videos, such a tranquil way to live. Subscribed.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you :-)

[@mikehurley5052]

You had a lucky trip there, nice job.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Yep :-)

[@contrafax]

Good on you, when good fortune smiles on you always take her offer.